White Collar Crime: Re-examination of a concept

Originally presented at a plenary session of the Eastern Sociology Association, Philadelphia, April, 1973.     

Does early adolescent sex cause depressive symptoms?

A recent study by the Heritage Foundation (Rector, Johnson, & Noyes, 2003) found evidence of a positive relationship between early sexual intercourse and depressive symptoms. This finding has been used to bolster support for funding abstinence only sex education. However, promoting abstinence will only yield mental health benefits if there is a causal link between sexual intercourse and depression. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), I carefully examine the relationship between early teen sex and several measures of depression. Controlling for a wide set of individual level and family level observable characteristics, cross section estimates consistently show a significant positive relationship between early sexual activity for females and three measures of adverse mental health: self reported depression, a belief that one's life is not worth living, and serious thoughts of suicide. However, difference-in-difference estimates reflect no evidence of a significant relationship between early teen sex and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the positive association observed by Rector et al. (2003) can be explained by unmeasured heterogeneity. Thus, promoting abstinence among adolescents is unlikely to alleviate depressive symptoms     

Electric power planning in Ontario: public participation at a normative level

Abstract: During the years 1974–1980, extensive opportunities existed for public participation at a normative level on the issue of electric power planning in Ontario through the Royal Commission on Electric Power Planning and the Select Committees on Ontario Hydro. In contrast, there is presently no adequate forum for public participation at a normative planning level. Based on personal interviews and available literature., this paper examines the need for public participation at a normative level in electric power planning in Ontario, and assesses three alternative approaches to the provision of participatory opportunities. Sommaire: Au cours des années 1974–1980, le public a pu, sur le plan normatif, participer largement à la planification de l'énergie électrique en Ontario, par le truchement de la Commission royale sur la planification de 1'énergie électrique ainsi que par les Comités restreints sur Ontario Hydro. À l'heure actuelle, cette situation s'est complètement modifiée en absence d'un forum adéquat qui permette la participation du public au niveau normatif de la planification. L'auteur de cet article, après avoir fait des interviews et consulté les publications existantes, examine le besoin d'une telle participation de la part du public et évalue trois approches possihles pour l'assurer.